The SQLD BUSH BIBLE

A guide to

Drought Assistance Schemes

and Support Programmes

for

South QLD Targeting the Balonne, Blackall Tambo, Bulloo, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo and

Quilpie Shire areas.

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Rural Financial Counselling

Service

The RFCS Programme aims to help primary producers,

fishermen and small rural businesses identify ways to become

self-reliant and better equipped to manage change and

adjustment.

Rural Financial Counsellor can provide assistance to:

identify financial and business options

negotiate with their lenders

identify any advice and training needed and develop an

action plan

find information about government and other assistance

schemes

get referrals to accountants, agricultural advisers and

educational services

get referrals to Centrelink and to professionals for

succession planning, family mediation and personal,

emotional and social counselling

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Rural Financial Counselling Service Queensland

– South West Region Information

www.rfcsqsw.org.au

For your Rural Financial Counsellors location, please go to www.rfcsqsw.org.au

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For your Rural Financial Counsellors location, please go to www.rfcsqcsr.com.au

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For your Counsellors location, please go to www.rfcsqcsr.com.au

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Department of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Freight Subsidy for transport of fodder

Freight Subsidy for water cartage

Freight Subsidy for returning animals from agistment or purchased for restocking after drought

Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate (EWIR) - Up to 50% of purchase, delivery and labour costs to engage a person to install water infrastructure, purchased for emergency animal welfare, including pumps and piping, drilling bores and new troughs (to a maximum of $20,000 per financial year).

The DAFF's website has more information on Drought Assistance and the appropriate forms/eligibility requirements.

Visit: www.daff.qld.gov.au/environment/drought/assistance/new-package or phone 13 25 23.

ATO - More Time to Pay

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can help people affected by drought and other natural disasters by allowing more time to pay tax debts, or arrange payment by instalments, without incurring interest charges. In special circumstances, the Commissioner for Taxation may release individuals from payment of Income Tax, Fringe Benefits Taxes and some other taxes where it is shown that payment would cause serious hardship. There are also other taxation measures and concessions available, including profit from the forced disposal or death of livestock, insurance recoveries and more. For more information, phone the ATO on 13 11 42.

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Department of Transport & Main Roads

Drought Assistance Package

The Department of Transport and Main Roads provides a drought assistance package for eligible registered operators of vehicles. This package is offered in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Queensland Police Service. Items included in the package are:

Multi-combination drought permits

Permit to increase the maximum hay-loading height

An additional registration pay term of 3 months and exemption from surcharge for a 3 or 6 month registration pay term

Exemption of registration

Waiving of certificate of inspection fees

Seasonal registration vehicles can have dormant period extended to two years

Cancellation of re-registration of vehicles

Fodder transport with primary producer concession

Farm plate concession vehicles able to cart water for up to 80 km

Stock grazing on declared road reserves A Drought Information Hotline is provided by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 1800 025 656. The hotline provides information about all drought assistance available. Information is also available on their website at www.daff.qld.gov.au/environment/drought

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More information and to down load the PDF at: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/communityandenvironment/commengage/disasterassistance/droughtassistancepackage.pdf

DNRM – Land Rent Deferral Applications can be made to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) to defer land rent or instalment payments. For more information, phone DNRM on 13 74 68 or go to: http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/state/rents/deferring

School Transport Allowance

Families that drive their children to school or connect with a school bus run may be eligible for an increase in the school transport allowance. For more information please visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads

For further information: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Travelandtransport/School%20transport/stasbrochure.pdf For the Application form: http://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/forms/QF3498/$file/F3498_ES.pdf

Home Energy Emergency

Assistance Scheme

Is one-off emergency assistance to help with paying your home energy bills. Pays up to $720 in any 12 month period for a maximum of 2 consecutive years. Visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/home-energy-emergency-assistance-scheme/ for further information.

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Ergon Energy

Farmers in drought declared areas, or with an IDP Declaration, may be eligible to have the fixed charge components of electricity accounts (which are primarily used for water pumping or irrigation) waived. The fixed charge components include annual fixed charged under Tariff 66, service fees and minimum payments, but exclude minimum demand charges. The waiver continues to apply until the drought declaration has been revoked. Payments on accounts used for farming purposes may be deferred for farmers experiencing financial difficulty. For more information, phone Ergon Energy 13 10 46 or go to www.ergon.com.au

Drought information link: https://www.ergon.com.au/retail/business/account-options/drought-relief

Application Form link:

https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/155823/Drought-Relief-Application-Form-July-2015.pdf

Queensland Country Women’s

Association Public Rural Crisis Fund

The QCWA Public Rural Crisis Fund (PRCF) was established to provide support to members of the public in times of crisis. Small grants of up to $500 of non-means tested assistance is available for household or medical costs. Distribution is by way of gift vouchers, store credit and the payment of accounts (e.g. medical or utility). NO cash is paid.

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For the Application form please go to:

http://www.qcwa.org.au/~qcwa/cmsAdmin/uploads/prcf-application-form-2015.pdf

Farm Household Allowance (Centrelink)

This program was announced as part of the Federal Government’s Drought Assistance package, however you don't have to be drought declared to receive this. There are off farm income and net assets (i.e. $2.55m) thresholds that apply. Up to $920/fortnight is available for couples, and the programme is administered by Centrelink. Both members of a household need to apply for this assistance using separate application forms.

Payments can last up to 3yrs, depending on individual circumstances. The aim of the program is too help cover basic living costs for producers in financial hardship, until their business can return to profitability, or they find off farm employment.

For more information and application forms visit: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/farm-household-allowance or ring their Drought and Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316.

Farmers Card

Farmers can take this card to any business that is approved to accept the card and use it to pay for goods and services. The business accepts the card and processes the transaction and they are then reimbursed from the donations pool. The card acts like a Gift Card. Any drought declared landholder may apply. Limit of one card per household. For further information visit their website http://www.farmerscard.com.au/register-for-a-card

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QRAA Farm Finance

Concessional Loan Scheme

Farm Finance Concessional Loans provide up to $1 million for eligible

Queensland farm businesses to restructure existing farm business

debt. Key features include:

loan amounts will be less than 50 per cent of the total eligible debt of the farm business

variable concessional interest rate (currently 4.5 per cent)

interest only repayments available for up to five years

loans are subject to availability of funds.

Visit QRAA's website www.qraa.qld.gov.au or Freecall 1800 623 946

for further information, scheme guidelines and application forms.

This program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered

by QRAA.

QRAA Drought Concessional

Loan Scheme

Farm Finance Concessional Loans provide up to $1 million for eligible

Queensland farm businesses to restructure existing farm business

debt. Key features include:

Loan amounts will be less than 50 per cent of the total eligible debt

of the farm business

variable concessional interest rate (currently 4.5 per cent)

interest only repayments available for up to five years

loans are subject to availability of funds.

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Visit QRAA's website www.qraa.qld.gov.au or Freecall 1800 623 946

for further information, scheme guidelines and application forms.

This program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered

by QRAA.

Anglicare Southern Queensland

Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Targeted Community Care Mental

Health program is a case management service intended to provide

support to families and carers of people living with mental illness,

through: needs assessment; education and referral; community

capacity building, personal support, and short term targeted respite

options. Anglicare staff will be attending local events and providing

programs to increase awareness of mental health issues and link

people to appropriate support services in drought-affected

communities. For more information on services on ASQ in this

region please call 1300 114 397.

http://www.anglicaresq.org.au

http://BetterRelationships.com.au

Aussie Helpers

Aussie Helpers Ltd is a non-profit registered charity that has been operating since 21 May 2002. The charity is operated by some forty volunteers working in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia and have assisted farmers in Tasmania and Western Australia.

These volunteers fully embody the spirit of volunteering, freely giving their own time and expertise (in many cases at their own expense), they have created a charitable association that is strongly supported by local communities including citizens and small businesses, many of whom have donated and supplied goods and services to enable

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Aussie Helpers to achieve its goal of “helping to fight poverty in the bush”. Phone 1300 665 232 or visit their website at http://aussiehelpers.org.au

Buy a Bale

The Buy a Bale Fundraising campaign has been developed and is run by The Give Back Campaign on behalf of Frontier Services. 100% of all funds raised are distributed through Frontier Services to support farmers in need of fodder and its transport, family health support and counseling.

Phone 1300 448 322 or visit their website to register for assistance https://www.buyabale.com.au/can-we-help-you

Telstra Assistance that can be offered:

Longer term payment arrangement/payment extensions

Reviewing and removing any administration fees

Placing the customer on a more affordable mobile, fixed line and/or BigPond plan

Conversion to a pre-paid service

Incoming and emergency calls only on a fixed line service

Telstra Bill Assistance Program – refer to Anglicare CQ

Financial Hardship policy at any time (24/7) on 13 22 00 and say “payment options” or visit: http://www.telstra.com.au/uberprod/groups/webcontent/@corporate/@about/documents/document/uberstaging_234094.pdf

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Centacare – Drought Support Program

Counselling for individuals, families, relationships and children with qualified & experienced counsellors who are available via face to face, phone or skype.

Counsellors can provide access to information and referral to other wellbeing services, assist with completing forms and personal advocacy. Phone: 1300 656 231 or http://www.toowoomba.centacare.org.au/home

UnitingCare Community

Country Callback service 1800 54 33 54

You may not be in crisis but find yourself in a position where you

would like to talk to someone about a conversation you had with

someone who is; you may be a hairdresser, butcher or banker and

find yourself having conversations you were never trained to have;

you may even be a frontline worker supporting communities

affected by drought and you would like to debrief with a

professional.

You can call the Country Callback service 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week and speak to a trained telephone supporter who will work

with you to identify the support you need and arrange for a

professional to call you back at a time that suits you.

The Country Callback service has been established to support people

in drought affected Queensland who aren't in crisis but would still

like to talk to someone; and to support those who support others in

the community. If you would like to talk to someone about

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telephone based support or referral to a local service that can

provide face to face support please call 1800 54 33 54 anytime (24

hours / 7 days) or

http://www.uccommunity.org.au/search/node/drought

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Trade Support Loans

Available from July 2014

Paid in installments of up to $20,000 over 4 years – repayable once income exceeds certain limit – term is interest free

Aimed at assisting apprentices with everyday costs and training expenses

Subject to eligibility

More information visit: http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/trade-support-loans

Legal Aid

Farm and Rural Legal Service is free basic legal advice for severe debt – related problems, disputes with lenders and financial hardships related to farming. Phone: 1300 65 11 88 or www.legalaid.qld.gov.au

Weed & Pest Management

Drought Affected areas

Waiting on further developments through DAFF and NRM Funding for pest and weed control measures on properties. Looks like it will be utilising services of a burr sprayer, weed control program, dog trapper or other method. More information visit: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/environment/drought/assistance/new-package/new-feral-animal-assistance-package

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Sporting Shooters

Farm Assist Program

Licensed professional shooters can travel to property – free of charge – to eradicate pest animals on behalf of station owner Requires mitigation permit to be signed prior and other eligibility & application requirements met before shooter can visit your station. Visit: http://www.farmerassist.com.au

After Hours Mental Health Crisis

Present to the nearest local hospital emergency department or rural health clinic. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines/services

Off the Track Training

Joy McClymont is a personal trainer and has devoted her career to empowering people to achieve their personal health and fitness goals.

Joy’s business, Off the Track Training, can provide you with a tailored fitness, nutrition and health plan to suit your needs and budget. Regardless of your fitness level, gender or your location, Joy is committed in helping you to unlock your optimal health and wellbeing potential.

Her specialised service is perfect for those living in isolated areas and with full support throughout your program, you will be more than pleased with the results. Visit: http://offthetracktraining.blogspot.com.au Phone: (07) 4658 9039

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Other Regional Services

Please note that all programs and services of the Darling Downs Southwest Queensland Medicare Local (DDSWQML) have closed from Wednesday 1 July 2015 in accordance with directives from the Australian Government Department of Health.

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) were established on 1 July 2015.

Western Queensland The Western Queensland Primary Health Network includes, but is not limited to, the following locations:

Blackall

Charleville

Cloncurry

Cunnamulla

Doomadgee

Gununa

Karumba

Longreach

Mount Isa

Normanton

Quilpie

Roma

St George

Winton

For more information about Primary Health Networks, please go to http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/primary_health_networks

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For information about Health Coordination in the Western Queensland Region, contact the Western Queensland Primary Care Collaborative: brett.oates@health.qld.gov.au

Frontier Services - Rural Area Family Services (RAFS) offers in-home care for parents/carers living in remote areas where access to normal child care is not possible. Phone: (07) 3871 0380 http://www.frontierservices.com.au

Agforce QLD offers industry related information, services and education and is a voice for the future development and growth of agriculture in Queensland. Southern Inland – Melissa Nobbs – Phone: (07) 4622 2578. South West – Vicki Franklin - Phone: (07) 4654 3675 http://www.agforceqld.org.au

National & Statewide

Social and Support Services

Queensland Health Ph: 13 43 25 84 (13 HEALTH)

For general health advice and concerns, talk to a qualified staff member who can provide you with information on who to talk to

and how quickly you should do it. A free and confidential service available 24/7

Always call 000 in an Emergency www.health.qld.gov.au

Lifeline Telephone Counselling Phone: 13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

Mensline Australia Ph: 1300 789 978

www.mensline.org.au

Beyond Blue Info Line Ph: 1300 224 636

www.beyondblue.org.au

Relationships Australia Ph: 1300 364 277

www.relationships.org.au

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Kids Helpline Ph: 1800 551 800

www.kidshelp.com.au

Parentline Ph: 1300 301 300

www.parentline.com.au

Seniors Enquiry Line Ph: 1300 135 500

www.seniorsenquiryline.com.au

Suicide Callback Service Ph: 1300 659 467

www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Salvation Army Ph: 13 72 58 (13 SALVOS)

http://salvos.org.au/need-help

Financial First Aid Ph: 1800 007 007

http://www.uccommunity.org.au/ffa

SANE Helpline PH: 1800 187 263

http://www.sane.org/information/helpline

Add your own contacts

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This information has been prepared by

Centacare Toowoomba

&

Anglicare Southern Queensland

The Drought Relief Program is proudly funded by the

Australian Government - Department of Social Services.

This is information is current as at 10/09/2015 – all care has been taken to ensure information is accurate. SQLD Bush Bible has been adapted from the Western Bush Bible with the permission of Ingrid Miller – Drought Co-ordinator Suncare Community Services.

Contributors take no responsibility for errors. If you would like to add information or make a correction please email the Drought Coordinator at kath.sack@humanservices.gov.au